Shaheen Bagh's Dadi Bilkis Says Release Young Protesters, Don’t Play With Their Future

Bilkis Bano, known as ‘Dadi of Shaheen Bagh’ urged the government to release the 24 young protesters arrested in connection with the February riots in northeast Delhi in which over 50 people were reported dead. After the government passed amendments to India’s citizenship law in December 2019, violence broke out in several parts of the national capital.

In connection with the February riots, she said, “I request the Centre to release the 24 protesters. If they remain in jail, how will they study? The government should not play with the future of these students.” 

Dadi Bilkis was recently named among TIME magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People’ in the world. She was a familiar face at the protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019 at Shaheen Bagh. You can read more from here.

Also Read: “What about our demands?”: Shaheen Bagh Dadi Bilkis Reacts To TIME’s List

Bano was speaking at a felicitation ceremony organised by Saheli, People’s Union for Civil Liberties, National Federation of Indian Women, and others. She was felicitated at this event on Tuesday for her achievement, reported The Indian Express.

Bano, Dadi of Shaheen Bagh, also said, “Most people think women only stay at home and like to confined to the kitchen. But these women can also fight for their rights and save democracy.”

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She also spoke about ongoing farmers’ protest and said that they (farmers) provide food. She urged the government to provide them with subsidies. 

About the protest

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Bano said, “Our protest against the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and the NRC (National Register of Citizens) will continue after this pandemic" reported The Hindu. The protest at Shaheen Bagh, a neighbourhood in Delhi, gained popularity when more women stood up against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The protestors at Shaheen Bagh sat in tents on one side of the road for months. They demanded the central government to repeal the law. The protest only paused when the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic came into place. 

Sagrika Giri is an intern with SheThePeople.TV